Resource Managers Lose 1 Day a Week to Reporting

Resource managers juggle schedules, balance workloads, and ensure the right people are on the right projects at the right time. But for many, a huge chunk of their week isn’t spent on strategic planning or problem-solving, it’s spent on reporting.

Our latest research reveals a startling reality: resource managers are losing the equivalent of an entire workday each week just generating and sharing reports. This administrative burden is slowing down organizations and keeping resource managers from focusing on the work that actually drives performance.

Reporting shouldn’t feel like a full-time job

Resource managers play a critical role in keeping organizations running smoothly, but too often their time is eaten up by reporting. In fact, many are spending the equivalent of a full day each week just pulling data together and generating reports.

According to recent findings:

• Over half of respondents spend 1–5 hours per week on reporting.
• One fifth spend 6–10 hours.
• 15% spend 11–20 hours.
• A smaller but significant group reports spending 21+ hours (nearly half their work week) just on reporting.

This isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a productivity drain that keeps resource managers away from higher-value work.

While reporting takes up a lot of time, it also provides valuable insights across the business. Respondents consistently noted that the data and forecasts produced by resource management functions are vital to:

• Finance teams making budgetary decisions
• Delivery teams aligning resources with client needs
• Leadership for strategic planning
• Project managers coordinating schedules and workloads
• General managers keeping an eye on operations

This highlights that the issue isn’t whether reporting is important, it’s how to make it more efficient.

Visibility is not negotiable

There’s a strong consensus that having real-time visibility into people’s time is important, if not critical. This is not surprising considering one-third of respondents reported experiencing challenges caused by a lack of visibility into employee availability.

Without clear insight into who is available, when, and for how long, teams can face coordination issues, underutilization, or even burnout due to overbooking. Improving transparency around scheduling and availability is likely to remain a continual priority for companies striving to optimize operational efficiency and productivity.

Keep reading: 5 Resource Management Reports for Better Decision-Making

The path forward: Smarter tools for smarter work

The future of resource management will hinge on reducing the reporting burden while increasing transparency. Companies need tools that:

• Automate repetitive reporting tasks.
• Provide real-time data access.
• Deliver insights across functions without requiring resource managers to spend a day a week crunching numbers.

With the right systems in place, resource managers can focus on what really matters: ensuring the right people are in the right place at the right time — not wrestling with spreadsheets.

Looking for more resource management insights? Download our full report here: